In the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle, 23,000 new jobs have been created - .mostly at Amazon.com. And there are 12,000 new residents. - mostly Amazonians.
Vulcan Corp. and city money have turned South Lake Union into a money maker for city coffers, and the mayor's new $25,000 report says the investment is building revenue flow throughout the city.
"It’s creating jobs and revenue that’s creating jobs in the rest of the city,” said Mayor Mike McGinn.
But is the money flowing south? Are the new revenues trickling down to Seattle's south end?
"I don’t see a drop in South Seattle, not a drop of economic stimulus," said Erik Stanford of Windermere Real Estate.
Some in Seattle's Rainier Valley see inequity, with much less public and private investment in their neighborhood.
"You got a Safeway, McDonalds ….other than that...not much down here,” said Rainier Valley resident Damion Smith.
They point to closed businesses along Rainier and MLK.
"Businesses simply wont move into our area anymore,” said Stanford.
The mayor responds, pointing out the rebuilding of the Rainier Beach Community Center, new transit centers and near transit construction of housing.
The mayor says his recommended zoning changes allowing for taller buildings in south lake union will bring even more investments to the neighborhood.
